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GSC 110

I. TITLE:  World Geography

II. CATALOG DESCRIPTION:  An introduction to the role of geography in studying the dynamics of cultural diversity and competing economic/political systems. Students will study the geographic distribution of major regions of the world.  Attention will be focused on the delicate inter-relationships among the natural landscapes of the earth and corresponding major cultural activities.  Course content will include activities to develop fundamental map reading/interpretation skills, and modern technological means of research into world regional geography.

III. PURPOSE: The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the physical/cultural diversity of the world as it relates to why people are doing what they are doing-- where they are doing it.  The students will learn to engage in mature independent thought and to express that thought effectively through objective inquiry and written communication; to understand the role of scientific inquiry in the study of global diversity; and to understand the role of technology in addressing problems in an ever-changing world.

IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of the course, the student will have:
A. Demonstrated an international perspective toward cultural/geographic diversity.

B. Demonstrated the ability to implement, through objective inquiry and writing, a basic understanding of regions of the earth and basic processes of human activity.

C. Displayed the knowledge of people and places, and communicate that knowledge through written means.

D. Demonstrated the ability to relate natural landscapes to corresponding major cultural activities.

E. Displayed the ability to locate major natural/cultural features on a map.

F. Displayed the ability to conduct internet research on a major world region.

V. CONTENT OUTLINE:
Part I Basic geographic concepts — Why people are doing what they are doing
    — where they doing “it”?
The following geographic concepts/themes are emphasized in the introduction which aid students in addressing modern global issues and concerns.
  1. Human ecology (Objective A)
  2. Regional differentiation (Objective B)
  3. Spatial interaction (Objective C)
  4. Person/land relationships (Objective D)
  5. The mapping science— map reading and interpretation skills (Objective E)
The following major world regions are studied utilizing the above stated concepts/themes --
  Part II  Western Europe
  Part III Eastern Europe and the Russian Realm
  Part IV Latin America
  Part V  Middle East and North Africa
  Part VI Africa South of the Sahara
  Part VII Monsoon Asia
  Part VIII Japan and Oceania
  Part IX The U.S. and world perspective

VI. INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:  Class will consist of lectures, discussions, and internet activities.  An operational outline of a model for an internet activity is attached.

VII. FIELD AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCES:  This course is an introductory lecture/discussion and demonstration course.  Internet inquiry will simulate field excursions throughout the world. (Note the internet activity model attached clarifying element VI)

VIII. RESOURCES:  Text, films and slides.  Occasionally international students and /or visiting international professors will address the class regarding their home country.

IX. GRADING PROCEDURES:  A = 100-90%;  B = 89-80%;  C = 79-70%;  D = 69-60%; E = 59% or below.
Map Quizzes will constitute the equivalent of one test grade.  At least 40% of all assessment instruments will be in a short answer/discussion format assessing the student’s ability to apply the geographic concepts/themes to regionally specific problems and concerns.

The breakdown of course evaluation instruments is as follows:
 1. Three 100 point exams (Objectives A-D)   67% of course evaluation,
 2. Five 20 point - map quizzes (Objective E)   22% course evaluation, and
 3. The internet activity (Objective F) note VI & VII, above   11% of course evaluation.

X. ATTENDANCE:  Attendance will be taken and students will be expected to attend class.

XI. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:  Cheating, plagiarism (submitting another person's material as one's own, or doing work for another person who will receive academic credit) are all impermissible.  This includes the use of unauthorized books, notebooks, or other sources in order to secure or give help during an examination, the unauthorized copying of examinations, assignments, reports. or term papers, or the presentation of unacknowledged material as if it were the student's own work.  A grade of zero will be given for the assignment which has been submitted dishonestly.   A second offense will result in a failing  grade for the course!

XII. TEXT AND REFERENCES:  GEOGRAPHY:  REALMS, REGIONS, AND CONCEPTS, DeBilj, Harm J. , and Peter O. Miller.

XIII. PREREQUISITES: None.

Last updated February 8, 2000. Designed and maintained by Kyosung Koo